Work has started on constructing Red Funnel’s new »Red Jet 6« in East Cowes on the Isle of Wight. After[ds_preview] receiving tenders from shipyards around the world, Red Funnel placed an order for the 40m high-speed catamaran with Shemara Refit LLP for delivery in summer 2016. Costing 6mill. £, »Red Jet 6« will be the first vessel of her kind to be built in the UK for 15 years, the ferry company stated. »Red Jet 6« will be Red Funnel’s largest and most innovative high-speed vessel yet. She will also be the »greenest ship« in Red Funnel’s fleet with a host of design features to reduce fuel consumption and protect the environment in line with the company’s ISO 1400:1 accreditation.
The aluminium hull will be similar in design to »Red Jet 4«’s but to improve efficiency »Red Jet 6« will be slightly longer at 41.12m. The passenger accommodation will be insulated from the hulls to reduce vibration and cabin noise. Like her sisters, »Red Jet 6« will use waterjets rather than propellers to aid manoeuvrability and provide impressive stopping power whilst keeping wash to an absolute minimum.
In a break with tradition, she will be fitted with four main engines rather than two. Each MTU 2000 series diesel will power a separate MJP 500 waterjet unit. This configuration will help reduce fuel consumption by 11% vs.» Red Jet 4« and 30% vs. »Red Jet 5«, provide high levels of in-service reliability and ensure emissions comply with the IMO Tier II regulations.
Other technical innovations to help reduce fuel consumption include the use of vinyl instead of paint for the superstructure to reduce weight and the application of the latest Teflon hull coatings to minimise drag through the water.
»Red Jet 6« will be configured to carry 275 passengers and 22 bicycles.
